1. When you first approached Anantara Mina Al Arab, what was the core idea you wanted guests to feel rather than simply see?
We wanted guests to feel a sense of discovery and connection to Ras Al Khaimah’s coastal landscape, which had the unique location both seashore as well as mangrove bay, where luxury is experienced through immersion in nature rather than separation from it.
2. If you had to describe the entire interior concept in just three materials, what would they be and why?
Natural timber, textured stone, and woven fibers define the resort’s ethos, reflecting the warmth, authenticity, and environmental character of the region.
3. You’ve spoken about resisting standardised approaches to design. What was one specific decision on this project that helped create a stronger sense of identity and place?
Designing the guest journey around the mangrove ecosystem rather than a conventional resort master plan created a uniquely Ras Al Khaimah experience, while also taking advantage of the white sand seashore and turquoise waters.
4. Having spent years studying how people interact with historic places, what did those spaces teach you about creating destinations that people remember?
The most memorable places tell a story through layers of culture, landscape, and human experience rather than relying solely on iconic architecture.
5. Looking back, was there a moment on site when the concept clicked?
The concept truly came together when the architecture, interiors, and natural setting began to feel inseparable, with every view framed by the surrounding water and mangroves.
6. Imagine you are walking the resort with a fellow designer. What is the first space you would stop at and why?
I would start at the arrival pavilion because it captures the essence of the resort, immediately connecting guests to the landscape, the water, and the sense of escape that defines the experience.
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